The MPhil program provides a research-driven exploration of government and political institutions, emphasizing both area-specific knowledge and Political Comparative analysis. This course delivers diverse educational experiences across various learning environments, designed to hone your written and oral communication skills alongside essential technical abilities. Beyond serving as a robust foundation for doctoral research, this MPhil equips you with the training and skills necessary for a broad spectrum of careers, spanning academia, professional sectors, commerce, diplomacy, and governmental roles.
The Department of Politics and International Relations (DPIR) is home to numerous research centers and programs that actively cultivate collaborative research through conferences, workshops, and other scholarly events. These initiatives are designed to include graduate students in meaningful research activities.
Research centers offer valuable platforms for students to present their work in seminar series and at departmental and external conferences. The DPIR’s visitor program is well-established and highly regarded, attracting many internationally renowned scholars to contribute to the department’s research endeavors.
Course Structure
Year One
The first year curriculum is structured to provide a solid foundation in political comparative methods and knowledge:
- Core classes and tutorials in comparative government form the bedrock of your first year.
- A comprehensive research methods training program is mandatory, incorporating core courses in statistical analysis and research design, alongside specialized elective courses tailored to individual research interests.
Year Two
The second year transitions to advanced research and specialization within political comparative politics:
- Thesis writing is central to the second year, allowing for in-depth exploration of a chosen research question.
- Completion of two specialist option papers allows for focused study within specific subfields. Recent options have included:
- Comparative Political Economy of Advanced Democracies: Delving into the political comparative analysis of economic systems and policies in developed nations.
- The Politics and Government of China: Examining the unique political comparative aspects of governance and political systems in China.
- EU Foreign Policy: Analyzing the EU’s external relations through a political comparative lens, considering its unique structure and global role.
- The Politics and Government of the United Kingdom: A deep dive into the UK’s political landscape, offering opportunities for political comparative analysis with other systems.
- The Government and Politics of the USA: Exploring the intricacies of American governance and politics, suitable for political comparative studies.
- Political Economy of Development: Investigating the political comparative dimensions of economic development across different countries and regions.
Teaching and Learning
The pedagogical approach is characterized by intensive and interactive engagement between students, their supervisors, and course instructors. This is complemented by a carefully designed program of classes, seminars, and lectures, integrated with structured self-study to maximize learning and research skills development in political comparative politics.
Attendance
This MPhil course is a full-time program requiring in-person attendance in Oxford. Full-time students must adhere to the University’s Residence requirements.
Resources to Support Your Study
As a graduate student, you will have access to the University’s wide range of world-class resources designed to support advanced research and study, including extensive libraries, museums, galleries, digital resources, and comprehensive IT services crucial for political comparative research.
The Bodleian Libraries, the largest library system in the UK, is an invaluable resource. It encompasses the main Bodleian Library and numerous libraries throughout Oxford, including specialized research libraries and faculty, department, and institute libraries. Collectively, these libraries house over 13 million printed items, offer access to a vast array of e-journals, and boast exceptional special collections, including rare books and manuscripts, classical papyri, maps, music, art, and printed ephemera, all vital for in-depth political comparative research.
The University’s IT Services provides comprehensive support to all students, assisting with core university IT systems, research tools, and numerous other services and facilities. IT Services also offers a variety of IT learning courses specifically designed for students, aiding in their learning and research endeavors in areas relevant to political comparative analysis, such as data analysis software and research databases.
The Bodleian Social Science Library, conveniently located on the ground floor of the Manor Road Building, serves as the primary collection for Politics and International Relations. It provides a wealth of resources directly relevant to political comparative studies, alongside a broad spectrum of other social sciences materials.
The Politics and International Relations subject guide offers current guidance and contact information for your Subject Librarian, who can provide specialized support and assistance for your research in political comparative politics.
Supervision
The Department of Politics and International Relations is responsible for allocating graduate supervision. While student preferences are considered, it is not always possible to match incoming graduate students with a specific member of staff. Supervisors are typically drawn from the academic staff within the Department. In exceptional cases, a supervisor may be selected from outside the Department. The supervisory relationship is crucial for guiding research in political comparative studies.
Students can anticipate meeting with their supervisor approximately three times per term, providing regular guidance and feedback on their progress and research direction within political comparative politics.
Assessment
Progression to the second year of the MPhil program is contingent upon successfully passing examinations and/or coursework in research methods and the core course in comparative government. This ensures a strong grounding in the fundamentals of political comparative analysis.
The final assessment for the MPhil includes two option papers chosen by the student, assessed through examination or coursework, and the submission of a substantial thesis. The thesis represents the culmination of their research in a chosen area of political comparative politics.
Graduate Destinations
Graduate study in politics provides excellent preparation for an academic career, whether at Oxford or other universities globally. The DPIR is proud of its graduates who go on to successful academic careers and also recognizes the significant number of alumni who hold prominent positions in government, diplomatic services, and senior roles in the private sector. The skills developed in political comparative analysis are highly transferable and valued across diverse sectors.
The DPIR actively engages with its alumni community through the Inspires alumni email newsletter and the Alumni Career Conversations series of online talks. These initiatives help connect current students with alumni working in various fields related to political comparative politics and international relations.
Changes to this Course and Your Supervision
The University is committed to delivering this course as described on this course page. However, it is important to acknowledge that circumstances may arise where changes to course provision become necessary, either before or after registration. Student, staff, and visitor safety is paramount, and significant changes to delivery or services may be required in response to events such as pandemics, epidemics, or local health emergencies. Furthermore, adjustments to course requirements for international study may be necessary in certain situations, such as visa difficulties or inability to meet student health needs.
While the University endeavors to maintain supervisory consistency throughout the course, changes in academic supervision may become necessary due to unforeseen circumstances, including illness, sabbatical leave, parental leave, or changes in employment.
For comprehensive information, please refer to the University’s page on changes to courses and the provisions of the student contract regarding course modifications.
